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Pilgrimage to Israel Resumes Soon – NCPC

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By Danusa Ocholi, Abuja

Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission,[NCPC], Rev. Yakubu Pam, has said   he will not be fulfilled in his present position until he  delivers  quality service to Nigerians.

He told a group   of journalists yesterday in his office in  Abuja that  with the nation expected to open its airspace in in a matter of days following more than five months of shut down due to  COVID-19 pandemic,  NCPC  will announce the date of the 2020  pilgrimage to Israel after a long while.

Rev. Pam  promised to take charge of the organization of the pilgrimage to enable  him address some of the shortcomings observed in the previous assignments.

The Executive Secretary promised to show Nigerians “the difference at the end of the day.” Rev. Pam equally frowned at the unprecedented level of corruption which he said nearly ruined   the image of NCPC.

He promised to do something drastic to address the situation. According to him:” It will no longer be business as usual for those that make pilgrimage to Israel.

He said the pilgrimage will be better organized to underline the spiritual effect of it on the people to make them better citizens of Nigeria. He frowned at the increasing level Nigerians abscond to the Jewish nation and the rest of Europe and promised to take some measures which he said he will not disclose. 

 In a related development, The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission NCPC and the  Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) 19 Northern states and FCT have  revealed that the three – day  proposed Southern Kaduna Peace Summit would commence on  September 8.

He disclosed this recently in Southern Kaduna during a condolence visit to select strategic leaders in the area.

The NCPC boss met with the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association at Bajare Bishop Court, the Emir of Jama’a, AlhajiMuhammad Isah Muhammad and his emirate council, the chief of Kagoro as well as the Chief of Zikpak, Dr. Josiah Kantiyok.

The message of Rev.  Pam was the same in all his engagements  with these leaders, which centred primarily on advocacy. He condoled and emphatised with them on the lost of innocent lives of their people. He prayed for lasting peace in their communities.

As part of his peace mission to Southern Kaduna, he admonished them to call on their youths not to take laws into their hands, thus he stressed the need for ceasefire by all the parties in the crisis. He also charged them to stop the killings and embrace dialogue.

More importantly, the NCPC both urged them to forgive those that had caused them sorrow. He invited each of these personalities to  attend the proposed Peace Summit from 8th to 10th September, 2020 at Southern Kaduna.

Speaking during the Executive Secretary’s visit, the President of the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association, Bishop Simon Peter Mutum spoke on the total neglect of the Southern Kaduna in the area of infrastructural development. He called on the APC led government in the stateto make them feel the impact of good governance.

He explained that the government should also understand the problems of the Christians in Southern Kaduna. He called on the government to come out in full force to put an end to the senseless killings of innocent lives, adding that “enough is enough”.

In his remarks, the Emir of JAMA’A Alhaji Muhammad Isah Muhammad stressed that Islam is a religion of peace and that his Emirate had always enjoyed peace and should continue to maintainpeaceful co-existence and inter faith harmony among people of other faith. He welcomed the idea of the proposed three days peace Summit in Southern Kaduna.

At the palace of the Chief of Zikpak, His Royal Highness Dr. Josiah Kantiyok commended the NCPC boss for going extra mile to ensure that peace reign supreme in Southern Kaduna. He explained that many visitors had visited the area since the crisis began, but he was the only one that had gone ahead to invite them for further discussion. According to him, “no one had given us this extra effort.”

He affirmed that his people are peace loving people and would do everything to ensure that peace reign in Southern Kaduna. His words, “I want to assure you that we are peace loving people and have forgiven those that wronged us.”

The Executive Secretary’s interventional mission to Southern Kaduna has made him and his team to visit the affected communities up to four times which had culminated into the scheduled peace Summit in Southern Kaduna.

Religion

Pope Plans Trip to Africa, Starting with Algeria

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Wrapping up his first international trip as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV said Tuesday he would like to visit Algeria in 2026 as part of a voyage to Africa, which could be his next overseas destination.

“I hope to make a trip to Africa, which could be my next trip,” the US pope said during a press conference aboard the papal plane during his return from a six-day visit to Turkey and Lebanon.

“Personally, I hope to go to Algeria to visit the places from the life of Saint Augustine,” he said, in reference to the fifth-century saint from the North African country.

Leo, who was elected in May, belongs to the Augustinian order, which was founded in the 13th century and has nearly 3,000 members in around 50 countries.

Such a visit would allow the head of the Catholic Church to “continue the discourse of dialogue and bridge-building between the Christian and the Muslim worlds”, he said.

 “The figure of Saint Augustine plays an important role as a bridge because in Algeria he is highly respected as a son of the nation,” the 70-year-old pontiff said.

A trip to Africa could also include visits to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, a Vatican source told AFP.

Leo, leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, also said he would “very much” like to visit “Latin America, Argentina, Uruguay”, as well as Peru, where he spent more than 20 years working as a missionary.

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CRIME

We Say No to killings of Christians in Nigeria – Group

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By David Torough, Abuja

The Future Platform, a Nigeria-based organization headquartered in the United States, has expressed deep concern over the increasing attacks and killings of Christians in various parts of Nigeria.

In a statement signed by its President, Mr.

Austine Dafe, the group condemned the ongoing violence and called on the Nigerian government to take decisive steps to ensure the safety of all citizens.

The organization cited recent incidents in Plateau, Benue, Kwara, Jigawa, Anambra, and Kaduna States, where Christian communities have come under repeated attacks, leading to loss of lives, destruction of properties, and displacement of families.

It described the situation as deeply troubling and urged authorities to act swiftly to bring perpetrators to justice.

“The government must address the root causes of these violent attacks and prioritize the protection of human life,” the statement said. “Every Nigerian, irrespective of religion, deserves to live in peace and worship freely without fear.”

The group further noted that the persistent killings have drawn international attention, with calls from the United States and Canada for urgent intervention to halt the violence.

The Future Platform appealed to Federal and State Governments, as well as religious and community leaders, to speak out against hate and intolerance while working together to promote peace, unity, and justice.

“This is a time for leadership and moral courage,” Mr. Dafe stated. “The killings must stop, and the lives of innocent Nigerians must be protected.”

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Religion

Eid-ul-Maulud: CAN Urges Leaders to Embrace Justice, Ease Hardship

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Friday, warmly felicitates with Muslim brothers and sisters across the country as they commemorate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

This was contained in a statement issued by CAN and signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in Abuja.

Hr said, Eid-ul-Maulud offers all Nigerians a moment of reflection on the values of humility, compassion, justice and devotion to God which the Prophet exemplified.

These values transcend religious boundaries and point us towards building a society anchored on peace, fairness and mutual respect.

Thr statement reads in part, “As our nation marks this occasion, we are reminded that Nigeria stands at a critical crossroad. The challenges of governance, economic hardship, and the deep yearning for credible leadership call for renewed commitment to principles that promote fairness, accountability and compassion.

“We therefore urge political leaders, at all levels, to use this solemn season to embrace justice in their decisions, ease the burdens of hardship on citizens, and foster policies that strengthen unity and uphold the dignity of every Nigerian. Integrity and fairness must guide leadership if our nation is to realise its potential for peace and prosperity.

“On behalf of the Christian community, I extend warm wishes to all Muslims for a peaceful and joyous celebration. 

“May this Eid-ul-Maulud inspire stronger bonds of unity across faiths, renew our shared hope for Nigeria, and encourage us all to work together for a just and prosperous nation.

“Happy Eid-ul-Maulud!”.

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